Linda Colletta’s footwear has long been part of her artistic process. They’re covered in paint - and for some reason, visitors to her studio often ask to buy them. Now they can to fight gun violence.

For 16 years, Linda Colletta painted large-scale backdrops - “walls of scenery” - for concerts and televised events on MTV and VH1. She worked on background set design for shows like the Grammys, and special performances by stars. If you went to a concert by Pearl Jam, Coldplay, Green Day, Pink, Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson, Brittney Spears, Ozzie Osbourne, Jennifer Lopez or Dave Matthews, you probably saw her work - without even thinking about it.

“It’s a very specific niche,” notes Colletta, a Parson School of Design graduate. It was fun and glamorous - but not conducive to a “normal schedule.” When her first child was born, she and her then-husband moved to Westport. He was a sailor; for her, the town was a great place to begin creating her own artwork.

Though she no longer designs big backdrops, Colletta’s work is still large in scale. Working mostly in acrylic, but also with mixed media - now including fabric arts - she is an abstract expressionist. She’ll paint on canvas, tear her work into strips, then weave it back together. “It’s very textual,” she notes.

For several years, Colletta exhibited at Westport’s Fine Arts Festival. It was a good way to meet other artists and buyers, and figure out her own style. She then found a studio in Bridgeport’s American Fabric Arts Building. She began showing in traditional galleries - and as far away as Basel, Switzerland. Now, the artist works with local interior designers. She sells directly to them, and has a robust Instagram presence too.

Before COVID, Colletta opened three pop-up studios in Westport. They were solo shows in rented storefronts, and attracted plenty of attention.

This spring, she looked for space for another pop-up. David Waldman - owner of many downtown properties, including Bedford Square - offered her space through September in his new Elm Street building, between Brooks Corner and Serena & Lily.

It was perfect for a concept she’d had, since living in New York: an “open studio.” Passersby could stop in, watch her make art, and learn from her about abstract expressionism.

Since opening in late April, Colletta’s concept has worked well. Many people have stopped in - including families with young children, who recently moved here from Manhattan and Brooklyn. They’re used to storefront studios like these, and bring “lots of energy.”

Though Colletta has always been interested in politics, issues like reproductive rights seldom made it into her art. However, recent gun violence in places like Buffalo, N.Y. and Uvalde, Texas has spurred her to act. “I want to contribute something,” she says.

Her contribution is coming in an unusual way: her sneakers.

Her footwear has long been part of her artistic process. They’re covered in paint - and for some reason, visitors to her studio often ask to buy them.

Until now, she’s always said no.

But she realized she could help by mounting and encasing her Vans sneakers in a Plexiglas box, then auctioning them off. She’ll do it from 7 to 9 p.m. on July 7. The event is called “Stomp Out Gun Violence” - a reference not only to her goal, but to the sneakers that can help do the stomping. Eleven Vans will be sold to the highest bidders, along with tote bags created out of ripped jeans by Colletta. Guest speakers will add impact to the evening.

Colletta did plenty of research, to find an appropriate recipient of the funds. She chose Moms Demand Action. The grassroots movement works to pass stronger gun laws, and close loopholes. It’s community-based, and includes business leaders. Founded by a mother of five the day after the Sandy Hook massacre, her online conversation now includes not only moms but dads, students, and gun violence survivors. It’s part of Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention group in the country, with more than 8 million members.

Colletta calls herself “just a regular person who cares about art, and helping people. Two years ago, during Black Lives Matter, I asked myself, ‘What can I do?’ As a privileged white person, that’s a hard question to answer.

“I’ve learned the answer is to educate myself, take stands where I can, and teach my children to be good, fair people.

“But this is not about me. It’s a way to raise money for a great organization. They’re the experts. I’m just using my art to help however I can.”

(Linda Colletta Art is at 33 Elm Street, Westport. Reservations are not required for the July 7 event, but RSVPs are requested to help with planning. Email reni@lindacolletti.com.)

Dan Woog is a Westport writer. His new column ‘Calendar Close-up’ appears each Friday and dives into one of the upcoming community events in Westport. He can be reached at dwoog@optonline.net. His personal blog is danwoog06880.com.